Imp Pacific Intl LLC appoints new chairman and CEO: reports

Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC has reportedly appointed two new senior executives to oversee its operations in Saipan, part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. Pacific jurisdiction.

Local newspapers reported on Wednesday that the company appointed Marco Teng as chairman, while Henry Cheang was named chief executive.

Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed casino investor Imperial Pacific International Ltd. It operates the Imperial Pacific Resort (pictured), a gaming facility on the Pacific island of Saipan, which opened in July 2017.

The appointments of the new executives follow the departure earlier this month of veteran casino executive Mark Brown, who served as president and chief executive of the company’s Saipan casino resort project.

Mr Teng’s appointment took effect on January 10, reported the Saipan Tribune. He will oversee and supervise the company’s Saipan operations, according to the newspaper. The executive most recently served as assistant vice president for recruitment and human resources at Macau-based casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

Mr Cheang will replace Kwong Yiu Ling, who until recently served as Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s chief executive. Mr Cheang is described in local media reports as having 12 years of experience in the Macau casino industry.

The Marianas Variety newspaper also reported on Wednesday that the company plans to complete the construction of 250 rooms at its casino resort by August 2018. “The casino licence agreement requires a minimum of 250 rooms [by August],” said Edward Deleon Guerrero, executive director of the Commonwealth Casino Commission on Saipan, as quoted by the media outlet.

In July last year, the Imperial Pacific group said it had reached an agreement with the Saipan authorities to amend its casino licence. Under the new agreement, a so-called “initial gaming facility” should be fully operational by August 31, 2018.

According to previous filings from the parent company, the “initial gaming facility” must include: a 329-room four- or five-star hotel; a gaming area with a total of 14,140 square metres (152,202 sq feet); as well as villas, restaurants, retail and meeting space.

"We are building momentum and continuing to grow our business while at the same time operating more efficiently"Barry CottleChief executive and president of casino equipment maker and lottery services supplier Scientific Games